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5000 Zlotys Papal Visit, Gold Bullion
| Issuer | Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1987 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
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|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | · POLSKA RZECZPOSPOLITA LUDOWA · 19 87 mw ZŁ 5000 ZŁ |
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| Mintage | 1987 MW - Proof - 201 |
| Additional information |
Poland issued this coin during a period of profound tension between the Catholic Church and the communist state — Pope John Paul II had already made two visits to his homeland in 1979 and 1983, each drawing millions and openly embarrassing the regime. The 1987 issue anticipates his third visit, which took place that same year across ten cities and drew an estimated 8 to 10 million Poles despite government attempts to minimize coverage.
That a communist government mint struck a papal gold coin at all reflects how thoroughly the Church had outmaneuvered the state by the late 1980s. Hard currency revenue from export sales likely made the compromise easier to swallow.